Acute effect of chilli intake on plasma glucose, insulin and vascular function in type-2 diabetics ($19,543) – Professor Madeleine Ball, Dr Kiran Ahuja
In type-2 diabetes, tissues become ‘insulin resistant’ and blood glucose and insulin levels rise. The incidence of type-2 diabetes is increasing in Australia, and Tasmania has a particularly high prevalence. Control of plasma glucose and insulin levels are important in the prevention and management of type-2 diabetes. This is also important to reduce the subsequent risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD).
We have previously shown that chilli, a commonly used spice, helps in improving blood glucose as well as insulin levels in generally healthy humans. These results were more pronounced in overwieght and obese individuals ie those individuals who have a known predisposition to type-2 diabetes and CVD.
We aim to extend this work in type-2 diabetics to assess if the beneficial effects of chilli are also presnted or perhaps enhanced in type-2 diabetics. We will asses post-meal (up to two hours) effects of a bland (spice free) and a chilli-containing meal on plasma glucose and insulin concentration and blood vessel function, in a group of type-2 diabetics. If the anticipated results ie improvements in glucose and insulin profile and possibly in blood vessel function are observed in the proposed investigation, this cheap, readily available and commonly used spice may be used to help control diabetes and prevent the onset of CVD.
Tasmania's Clifford Craig Medical Research Trust was established in 1991.